There is something to be said about the exhilaration of the chase scene in filmmaking. Cars chase each other, flying over the hilltops of San Francisco, sending up sparks as they land. Planes darting through the air, barely clearing the tree tops as they careen over the landscape. Agents running someone down through busy crowded streets and down winding alleys. Then, when the target is about to be caught by the car/plane/agent, they slip away, only by the narrowest of margins.

Stephen Spielberg's latest film, "Catch Me If You Can," uses the chase scene to it's fullest, and with fabulous results. Using classic elements of cat-and-mouse, the gleeful delight caused by each narrow escape delivers what is lacking in many films: fun and excitement.

"Inspired" by true events, "Catch Me If You Can" is based on the exploits of a teenage Frank W. Abagnale, Jr. in the 1960's. After the IRS investigates his father, Frank (Leonardo DiCaprio) and his family move from their spacious ranch home in New York to an apartment in the city, forcing Frank to change from his private school to public school. On his first day in his new school, Frank is mistaken as a substitute French teacher, so he cloyingly continues the masquerade for a week before the school catches on. Thus begins Frank's realization that with enough confidence, he can slip into any role he so desires.

For his 16th birthday, Frank's dad (Christopher Walken) opens a checking account with $25 in his son's name, and gives him the checkbook with 50 blank checks. Soon after, Frank comes home one day to find his parents filing for divorce. Frank obviously idolizes his parents, and he is so upset that he runs away to live on his own, rather than choose which parent he will live with. As he finds out that life on his own is difficult, he begins bouncing checks, but when he sees an airline pilot for Pan Am getting preferential treatment at a bank and a hotel, he sees his chance to slip into the role himself. After a little investigation, Frank is soon flying all over the country and cashing thousands of dollars in checks as a co-pilot. After a while, the FBI gets word of this, and soon Carl Hanratty (Tom Hanks) is hot on his trail, and the chase is on.

Slipping between roles as a pilot, doctor, and lawyer, DiCaprio is a perfect fit for the first time since his role in "Titanic." He blends perfectly and has the charm and cockiness of a late teen that has the ability to pull off all of the impersonations. His lines are not forced, and he seems to enjoy himself, much more than his character in "Gangs of New York."

Tom Hanks, on the other hand, tries too hard to mimic a Boston accent (butchering it in the process) as Agent Carl Hanratty, and for the first time in many films he is the one weakness of the film. As Carl investigates Frank's trail, he is pulled along for the ride oblivious to any emotional interaction. Carl is a lone wolf who is married to his job with unwavering dedication, but he is so uninteresting that anyone could have been plugged into his role. Never before would I ever have thought I would actually say that Leo out-acts Tom, but he clearly does, and has fun doing it.

The film is exciting, funny, and touching, and keeps you entranced throughout. There is little down time, as the chase is always on. Frank's actions are desperate cries to his parents, and he never accepts their divorce right up to the end, even asking his father to tell him to stop. Realizing that this is his son's gift, Frank Sr. refrains, instead telling him that he has to go on with the chase. Thankfully, the chase does go on, because it makes "Catch Me if you Can" one of the most exciting and enjoyable movies this year.